Responding to the Scottish Budget, Equity welcomes the confirmation of culture funding as a “welcome relief for all in the sector” and that “Equity members’ voices have been heard”.
The Scottish Budget confirmed increased funding for arts and culture in Scotland for the coming year with £34 million made available and more promised for future years. The confirmation follows campaigning by Equity for the government to confirm essential arts funding to protect jobs across the sector.
Key elements announced as part of the culture funding include:
- Culture funding confirmation a “welcome relief” says Equity
- £34 million confirmed for 2025-26, with £100m commitment intact
- Cultural organisations should now receive multi-year funding payouts
- Grassroots artists, festivals and organisations all set to receive funding
- Music venues will be exempt from non-domestic rates
Marlene Curran, Equity Scottish official, said: “Equity members’ voices have been heard in today’s Budget.
“There will be a collective sigh of relief at today’s culture funding announcement and music venue exemption from non-domestic rates. The uncertainty has been painful and many artistes and organisations have suffered while funding u turns pulled the rug from under them.
“This money has been promised, taken away, dangled, hinted and thankfully now confirmed. It will be huge relief to performers of all kinds, as well as the many cultural organisations across Scotland who rely so heavily on this arts funding to survive.
“Regular, reliable funding is vital for providing a pipeline of regular, reliable employment for Equity members across Scotland.”
In her Budget statement this afternoon (Wednesday), Finance Minister Shona Robison told Holyrood: “I will increase the culture budget by £34m next year” and said her intention was for a further £20m the following year.
She went on to say that the SNP Government is “committed to increase arts and culture funding by £100m” and that “after just two years, we’re half way there.” She also confirmed that music venues will be exempt from non-domestic rates.
In September, Equity held a rally outside Holyrood demanding an end to arts cuts, with over 300 people turning out. This led to a meeting with the Culture Minister, Angus Robertson.
